Drugged driver jailed over SA road crash

A 40-year-old Adelaide man with a 20-year drug habit who had never held a full driver's licence has been jailed for two years for crashing into a cyclist, causing life-threatening injuries.

Adrian Peter Kent faced the District Court on Thursday where Judge Liesl Chapman outlined his shocking driving record, which included being caught driving while disqualified seven times in less than three months last year.

Judge Chapman said Kent had last used methamphetamine two days before the crash on South Road in October last year which left the 51-year-old cyclist in a coma for three weeks with serious head injuries.

The man had part of his skull removed and had no memory of the crash when he woke up in hospital, the court heard.

He told the court he felt like his "body and brain were smashed" and no longer had control over his life.

Judge Chapman said Kent told police the cyclist had moved out in front of his car but it was clear from police investigations that he had hit the rider from behind while driving in the bike lane.

She said he had previously been jailed for driving while disqualified and the only licence he had ever held was a learner's permit when he was 17.

"I am very concerned that you were driving on this occasion knowing that you had never passed a test for a full driver's licence in your life," the judge said.